Preschool Summer Break Week 1

With more than 2 full weeks before Patrick and Finn 

get out of school for the summer, Sully and I had 

his first week of summer vacation together.

On Tuesday, Sully road his bike to Noah's Art 

and we met Emma for some art fun!

 Wednesday we spent the day with Ashton.  

First, we went to Squirrel Lake park for playtime with Drew and Evan.

 These 4 super cool dudes had a blast throwing rocks into the lake 

and rule the playground with their super heros.

 Thursday, Sully and I took the train uptown to Imaginon.

 We enjoyed storytime (with bubbles or course)

 and then explored the new Storybook exhibit.

Sully climbed the beanstalk, like Jack...

and created his own storybook about a Giant. 

 We ended our visit with a puppet show!

 After the boys got home from school, the Callow boys 

joined us at the pool for swim and dinner time 

(before the thunderstorm chased us back home!)

Friday started off with a wonderful  breakfast at the elementary school

This breakfast was hosted by the staff for the parent volunteers and included performances by the choir. 

Gill met us at breakfast, after finishing off with the hawk dads.  It's certainly not the reason we help at the school, but the breakfast was very much appreciated.

 After breakfast, Sully and I met Athena, Sebastian and Melissa at Cold Blooded Encounters.

Melissa and I had never been there before, but it promised reptile encounters, a zoo and nature center.

Maybe this picture will help explain, what WE encountered.  That's right, Sully in the bathroom WITH TURTLES in the tub!!!  We left laughing, it certainly was an experience.  (sully announced:  "This place freaks me out, I want to go" - and that about summed it up)

 After we left, we headed to a local library, for puppet shows, stories, games and fun.

What a great way to start the summer!

Patrick's Martial Arts Test

After months of hard work, this afternoon Patrick tested for 

his yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do.
He worked so hard and did an excellent job.

 Patrick tried his hardest, and even broke a board with a giant kick!

At the end, Master announced that he had passed his test 

and would now be a yellow belt!

 The Class

We celebrated with Patrick's favorite treat - Garlic Knots and Pizza!

Great job, Patrick, we are so proud of you!

Last Day of Preschool

Today was Sully's last day of preschool for the year.

Here is a Flashback to his first day of school this year:

Such a big Boy!

We had a wonderful year and were sad to say goodbye to Ms. Amy and Ms. Tonya

Lucas' First Communion

Today we were honored to be with the Amatores to celebrate Lucas' First Communion.

The church ceremony was beautiful. Lucas did a reading and looked so handsome.

 The reception was held a beautiful golf course in a tent outside.  

The baseball theme was everywhere and looked fantastic!

 

I was so happy to be with my best friend on this special day.

 We enjoyed a delicious meal, lots of dancing and great conversation.

The kids rocked the dance floor and then enjoyed gaming systems and playing on the lawns. 

 Our sweet boys

 Uncle Alex, Sully and Daddy

 Finn and Godmomma Rosemarie

 God Bless Lucas

 The kids celebrate!

 Alex even had a special birthday cake made for Rosemarie!

It was a fabulous celebration and we were so happy to be there.

God Bless Lucas, we love you!

Saturday in NYC

 After having a special bagel breakfast with the Amatores, the five of us headed into the city for a day of exploring.  It was a day of transportation; subways, boats and cabs, oh my!

 Our first stop was the battery park ferry where the ranger took a liking to the boys and let them try his special hat before boarding the ferry to Liberty Island.

Because our entire family did not reach the heigh requirement to climb Lady Liberty, we explored the Island, and had lunch in the courtyard right next to the statue.  The guys really loved The Statue of Liberty - Finn said her flame looked like a giant rubber duck (and he was right)

We took the ferry back (not stopping at Ellis Island this trip)

 

Everyone loved the skyline and view of NYC

 Back in Manhattan, we took a cab to SOHO.  The boys decided that what they really wanted to do was go to the Scholastic Book Store (the only one in the country).  Much to their surprise, outside waiting for us was CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS himself!  Their favorite book character.

 Once inside, they went into the magic school bus, and explored everything the store had to offer before choosing their special gifts.  Nannie and Pop Pop gave them spending money and Gill and I bought each boy one treat as well.

Sully got PETE the Cat stuffed animal and PETE Goes to the Beach Book

Patrick chose Super Diaper Baby Vol. 1 & 2

Finn got an Art Book about drawing Star Wars characters and a new Star Wars book

 After our special outing, we took the subway back to brooklyn and then went out to dinner with the Amatores to celebrate Aunt Rosemarie's Birthday.

What a day!

Fun Friday

Today was a big day for us.  

We got into NJ late the night before and slept well in the hotel.  

We woke up early and drove to Basking Ridge for a special birthday breakfast 

with Grandma Peggy and Grandpa Neil.

After a nice visit with them, we travelled to Jersey City for a special day 

with Uncle Ralph at the Liberty Science Center.  The boys were in HEAVEN, they loved the museum.

We went to their first IMAX show and watched an amazing movie all about the Hubble Telescope.  The pictures were amazing and it truly felt like we were in space with the astronauts.

The science center had a new exhibit all about Rubix Cube.  

We saw all different versions of the cube, robots that can solve the cubes 

and a wall of Rubix.  

Because the boys have NO fear, we ventured into the Touch Tunnel.  

It is an 80 foot, crawl-thru, pitch black maze that forces you to use 

your senses other than sight.  We each paired up, one grown up to child, 

and the 6 of us went into the tunnel.  

We mastered the tunnel with no freak outs!  The boys were not at all scared, 

or at least I didn't think so, until we saw these infa-red pictures taken 

by the tunnel cameras!

After 6 hours at the science center, it was time to say "goodbye" to Uncle Ralph - he was off to the Coast Guard for the weekend.  Then we headed to Brooklyn to see the Amatores.

The boys hugged cousin Lucas and got right to playing, 

while the grownups enjoyed time together.

We had a delicious italian dinner together and then got the boys settled 

for their FIRST friend sleepover.  (That's right, even Lucas had never had a sleepover 

with anyone but grandparents before - it was a big night!)

Gill and I said goodnight to the boys at 10 and went to the hotel.  

Rosemarie assured me that by 10:45, all 4 buddies were sounds asleep.

What a big day!